Adjectives

ADJECTIVES

An adjective is usually used before a noun.

It is a word that adds something to the meaning of a noun, that is, it tells us something more about the noun.

• Proper adjectives describe to us a noun using a proper name.

• Example : • a) Hong Ling is a Chinese student.• b) Sheikh Ridhuan is a Muslim

pilgrim.• c) Arumugan is an Indian name.

Types of Adjectives

• Adjectives of quality or descriptive adjectives which shows “what kind” or explain further about the situation.

• Examples : a) The clear blue sky is a welcome

sight after experiencing the haze. b) The rainy season is very wet. c) The green grass of the field is a

refreshing sight.

Types of Adjectives

• Adjectives of quality tells us how many or how much.

• Examples :• a) Definite – half an hour , two

languages, third runner , first prize , etc.

• b) Indefinite – some time , a few things , all of them , a lot of friends , etc.

Types of Adjectives

• Possessive adjectives show possession or ownership.

• Examples : • a) I put up my house for sale.• b) Our school computer was

stolen last week.• c) The cat is feeding its kittens.• d) She ties up her hair with a

blue ribbon.

Types of Adjectives

• Distributive adjectives show that the persons / things shown by the noun are taken singly (one by one) or in separate lots.

• Examples : • a) One of the pupils must have taken the

pen.• b) Either you or I have to fetch him from

school.• c) Each boy must bring his own bag.• d) Neither one of the answers is correct.

Types of Adjectives

• Interrogative adjectives are in question forms.

• Examples :• a) Which car knocked the boy

down ?• b) What time is it ?• c) When did he get married ? • d) How many medals did she win ?

Types of Adjectives

There are three degrees of comparison,namely :

• a) the positive• b) the comparative• c) the superlative

Comparison of Adjectives

• The positive is used when speaking of or describing an object.

• Examples : • thin , sad , fair , chubby , fat , etc.

• Sentence study :• a) Sandra is a sweet looking girl.• b) Ganesh is as clever as Ravi.• c) My father is as tall as yours.

The Positive

• The comparative is used when comparing two objects and is formed by adding ‘er’ to the positive.

• Examples : • thin > thinner , fair > fairer , etc.

• Sentence study : • A) Evelyn is sweeter looking than

Catherine.• B) The class monitor is cleverer than Mano.• C) My teacher is taller than your father.

The Comparative

• The superlative is used when speaking of more than two objects and is formed by adding ‘est’ to the positive.

• Examples :• Thin > Thinnest , Fair > Fairest , etc.

• Sentence Study : • a) Amanda is the sweetest looking girl.• b) The head boy is the cleverest of the

boys.• c) My class teacher is the tallest of the men.

The Superlative

1) To show a lower degree in the comparison the words less and least can be used.

The Characteristic of Adjectives

Positive Comparative Superlative

curious less curious least curious

2) Some adjectives cannot show degree of comparison because the word denotes an ultimate height. So with these words the qualifying word nearly can be useful.

The Characteristic of Adjectives

Positive Comparative Superlative

perfect nearly perfect most nearly perfect

unique nearly unique most nearly unique

universal nearly universal most nearly universal

3) There are a few adjectives which inflect for degree of comparison irregularly. The most commonly used irregular adjectives are the following :

The Characteristic of Adjectives

Positive Comparative Superlative

good better best

bad worse worst

a little less least

many/much more most

far farther/further farthest/furthest

old older oldest